Forrest Gump

Synopsis

Robert Zemeckis' whimsical, sextuple Oscar-winning fable stars Tom Hanks as an idiot-savant who leads a charmed existence over four turbulent decades of US history. A fable for modern times, the offbeat tale captures both the imagination and the eye, thanks in no small part to a supporting cast that includes Gary Sinise as Forrest's grumpy Vietnam leader Major Dan and Robin Wright Penn as his troubled sweetheart. Light, dark, bitter and sweet... it's not unlike a box of chocolates.

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Cast

Tom Hanks

Robin Wright Penn

Gary Sinise

Mykelti Williamson

Sally Field

Review

Mostly remembered for Tom Hanks' Oscar winning turn as a man child that has incredible good luck, Forrest Gump is widely regarded as a classic, though just as many will tell you its little more than The Jerk with a budget.

Hanks plays the titular Forrest as the plot follows his life story and the adventures he found himself in over the course of 4 decades.

From the moment his surprisingly awesome speed got him a place in the college football team, to the stroke of luck that saw him survive Vietnam, Forrest's life is half a dozen movies rolled into one.

While Hanks' performance is particularly memorable and much has been made of it, looking dumb and talking in a monotonous voice is hardly the most challenging of acting roles.

In fact, what makes this movie tick is the sheer scope of the story, not to mention the supporting cast that includes Gary Sinise as the grumpy Major Dan and Robin Wright Penn as Forrest's love interest.

The writer must have had a field day working on ideas as to what Forrest could have done over the years and the odd idea may be a bit weak (the pointless running across country springs to mind) there's still plenty more set pieces to keep you amused, despite being over 2 hourse in length.

For some it's little more than a flick about an idiot that got lucky. For others it's a tale with a message: a good heart is equal to a good mind.

But there is one issue that cannot be argued. Life is nothing like a box of chocolates. Because a box of chocolates comes with a list of what's in the box, so you know EXACTLY what you're going to get.